The Fourth of July sky will be a little darker this year as lean economic times force cities across the Bay Area to snuff out a favorite all-American tradition: fireworks shows.

In past years, the East Bay shoreline was ablaze with exploding, booming, multicolored pyrotechnics on Independence Day. But this year only Berkeley and San Pablo will light up their waterfronts with fireworks.

The others are too far in the red for the red, white and blue. Livermore and Hercules dropped their fireworks and parades this year. Oakland and San Leandro canceled their fireworks a year or two ago. Other cities, such as Foster City, have either scaled down their shows or started charging visitors to see them.

"It's another chunk out of the pie of happiness," said Livermore Mayor Marshall Kamena. "Our Fourth of July party epitomized what 1776 was all about. And now there's just sadness."

A typical 20-minute fireworks show costs between $15,000 and $20,000, but some, such as San Francisco's, can top $100,000, said Jeff Thomas, producer for Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, which puts on 90 percent of the Bay Area's fireworks displays. Staff costs can add at least another $30,000.

"It's hard to justify fireworks when you're laying off 100 people," said Oakland spokeswoman Karen Boyd. "The police OT, the cost of the fireworks - it adds up."

Costly celebrations

As cities grapple with shrinking revenue and thorny choices about cuts and closures, civic celebrations are an easy item to scratch off the budget. Fourth of July festivities are among the costliest, because of police, fire and public works overtime and holiday pay.

Times are so tough in San Leandro that the city canceled its annual Cherry Festival, an even more beloved tradition - and more integral to the town's identity - than the Fourth of July festivities.

"Do we want to maintain public safety or pay for an event that lasts a couple hours?" said city spokeswoman Kathleen Ornelas. "People say, wouldn't it be nice if we had a community celebration? But right now that's all on hold."

Some cities are turning to the private sector for help. Richmond is co-hosting its fireworks show with Target, although it won't be on the holiday. The event is scheduled for Sunday at the waterfront.

Foster City has teamed up with the Lions Club to host its Independence Day celebration. To help offset costs, the Lions Club will charge visitors $10 to park - a first for the long-standing community party.

"Like everyone, we're having some tough times. But we figured, 'You know what? Let's find a way to do this. It's a symbol of Foster City,' " said Jennifer Clark, recreation superintendent. The cost of the event, which includes live music, rides, a parade, barbecue and dog show: $90,000, including staff time.

Private donors

Vallejo has gone a step further and allowed private donors to fund the event. The bankrupt city canceled its Fourth of July festival a few years ago, but this year, in what city leaders hope is a symbol of Vallejo's recovery, the fireworks will be back.

"Anything we do that puts us back to 'normal' is very encouraging," said Mayor Osby Davis. "We've stopped the bleeding, sewed up the wound and now we're starting to heal."

Half Moon Bay and East Palo Alto, which have also seen their share of financial hardship of late, are, like Vallejo, resurrecting their fireworks shows this year.Fourth of July festivals are more than an excuse to eat Sno-Cones and wave sparklers, city leaders say. They're a chance for old friends to meet, kids to play tug-of-war and gape at the fireworks and for every city, at least for a few hours, to feel like a small town.

It's also a chance for City Hall to engage with residents in an activity that has zero purpose except fun. In short, it's good for everyone's morale.

"We certainly have a sharp pencil with our budget this year," said Jim Farley, director of the Marin County Fair, one of the few civic fireworks shows that has been neither canceled nor curtailed.

"But it's for the Marin County tribe, and they love their fireworks," he said. "So fireworks are going full throttle."